Hugh Newsom, left, and Mary Newsom speak to the friends and family gathered for a memorial for their son Chris Newsom at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Powell on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

Mary and Hugh Newsom, center, take a group photo with friends and family who attended a memorial for their son Chris Newsom at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Powell on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

Members of the Shepherds Riding Club release pink and orange balloons in memory of Channon Christian at memorial held at Highland West Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

Members of the Shepherds Riding Club watch as pink and orange balloons released in honor of Channon Christian float in the sky at Highland West Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

Mary Newsom, the mother of Christopher Newsom, said after the ceremony that support from the community had been wonderful.

“It makes us feel really good that the community is still interested in coming out to show support for Chris,” Mary Newsom said. “It’s overwhelming, really.”

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Members of the Shepherds Riding Club gather to remember Channon Christian at Highland West Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017.(Photo: BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL)

Hugh Newsom, Christopher’s father, opened the ceremony at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens by inviting his son-in-law, Pastor Donny Wadley of First Baptist Church Fountain City, to provide an invocation. Wadley’s prayer invited the group to strive for continual healing of the wound that Christopher’s death had left.

The service continued with stories from family members and other church leaders while gospel music played softly in the background.

“We wanted this to be a celebration of his life,” Mary Newsom said during the memorial.

After the ceremony, friends and family reconvened at Berry Highland West cemetery in West Knoxville. The service was led by Channon Christian’s father, Gary Christian, who emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of Channon and Christopher present in the minds of everyone.

More than two dozen members of the Shepherds Riding Club joined Gary Christian. Gary Christian explained that the club, which works to promote self-defense and honor the memories of Christian and Newsom, has impacted many people and helped preserve the memory of his daughter.

“This club has reached, touched and changed a lot of people's lives,” Gary Christian said. “And I promise you, every one of those people know who Channon Christian is.”

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Members of the Shepherds Riding Club release pink and orange balloons in memory of Channon Christian at memorial held at Highland West Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017.(Photo: BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL)

Gary Christian continued by praising the establishment of the Channon Gail Christian Foundation, which provides a scholarship every year to a female graduate of Farragut High School who attends the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

After Christian finished speaking and a final prayer was said, friends and family were invited to release dozens of balloons into the sky to mark the ten-year anniversary of the couple’s death.